Be sure to ask your pharmacist the following questions about your prescription:
- What is the name of my medication? Keep in mind that prescription medications have two names: the common (or generic) name and the brand name. The brand name is given by the specific manufacturer to market their product. The label on your medication will always list the generic name, and most will also list the brand name.
- What will my medication do for me? Some medications control symptoms, while others are given to cure an illness (such as antibiotics). Know what to expect from your medication.
- When will the medication start working, and how will I know when it's working?
- How should I take my medication? The answer to this question should include details on time of day, whether the medication should be taken with or without food and/or beverages, and number of doses to be taken per day.
- What should I do if I forget to take my medication?
- How long should I take this medication? Knowing how long you need to take your medication can help you prepare for a lifestyle change if necessary.
- What are the potential side effects of my medication, and what should I do if I notice side effects?
- Are there foods, activities, other medications, supplements, or herbal products I should avoid while taking this medication? For example, various activities such as driving a car or exercising can be affected by certain medications.
- Is this medication safe to take if I am pregnant, breast-feeding, or considering pregnancy?
If you're starting a new medication, you may want to print this page and take it with you to the pharmacy.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Medication-Management
Sometimes it's difficult to fit medications into your busy schedule, especially if you're taking more than one prescription at once. It helps to create a specific plan for organizing and remembering to take your medications.
The following suggestions will help you to better manage your medication schedule:
- Incorporate the medication into your daily routine. For example, take it immediately before or after another activity that you do each day, such as eating breakfast, doing a household chore, or going to bed. Make sure you check first that the medication can be taken with food. Ask your pharmacist or read the medication package or insert.
- Place the medication in a highly visible area so that it's readily available to you at the time you should take it. For example, if you take the medication in the morning before leaving for work, place it on your kitchen table, or beside your water cooler, coffee pot, or favourite mug. Remember to keep medications out of reach of children and pets, and away from heat and humidity.
- Create your own checklist or diary to help remember your medications. Place your list in a highly visible place, such as on your refrigerator or taped to the inside of your front door, so you'll see it before leaving home.
- Ask your pharmacist about medication reminder devices (often referred to as "compliance aids"), such as mini-alarms, blister packages (plastic, sealed bubbles), or dosettes (a reusable method to store a week's supply of multiple medications). Likewise, some mobile devices have "apps" or settings that can be used for medication reminders.
And just in case you do forget:
Know what to do if you miss a dose of your medication – ask your pharmacist for guidance about your specific medications.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Medication-Management
First of all, to make sure you stay healthy when you take a trip, don't leave your medications at home!
Keep these tips in mind for managing your medications on the road:
- Before your trip, review your dosage schedules with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you'll be crossing time zones – you may have to take your medications at different times. For example, if you have diabetes and need to use insulin while travelling eastward across more than 3 time zones, you may require less intermediate or long-acting insulin.
- If you are travelling to another country, visit https://travel.gc.ca/ to see if you need special protection against disease in the country you are visiting.
- Some medications can make you more sensitive to the sun and heat – check labels for warnings, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may need to cover up or use stronger sunscreen.
- Store medications away from direct sunlight or high heat. A beach bag or your car's trunk or glove compartment aren't good places to keep medications. For example, many insulins can be kept up to 30 days at room temperature, but degrade at higher temperatures.
- Don't put your medications in checked luggage. Keep them with you and bring enough to last the whole trip; when you go on an outing, carry along a day's supply.
- You should pack essential medication in 2 different pieces of hand luggage, just in case one becomes lost or stolen. This way you will have backup and not be left without your important medication while abroad.
- Keep with you a digital or paper list of all the medications you take (include the names, dosages, directions), your doctors' phone numbers, and your health insurance information.
- To avoid problems with customs, carry a note from your health care provider describing the types of medications you are using, a copy of your prescriptions, and clear labels on all your medications that identify your full name (as on your passport), pharmacy name, and the name and dose of the medication. The same applies should you have to carry needles or pre-loaded syringes.
- Put together a travel first aid kit containing over-the-counter and prescription medications you may need if you become ill or are injured. Some medications you may want to include are:
- antihistamines in case you have a mild allergic reaction
- a painkiller such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- medications for motion sickness and nausea
- medications for diarrhea
- anti-infective ear drops for swimmer's ear (bacterial infection in the ear)
- an antibacterial cream for cuts, insect bites, and burns
- a course of antibiotics that is prescribed by your doctor
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which specific medications may best suit your needs, depending on your medical history and travel destination.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Medication-Management
